In 2008, the state of Alagoas (located in the semi-arid region of northeast Brazil) passed Law 6903/2008 establishing the community seed bank program with the objective of 'strengthening community seed banks through public support to rescue, multiply, distribute and supply seed of local varieties'.
In Alagoas, small farmers' cooperatives, based in the regions of the Sertão Alto and Medio, have managed the main networks of seed banks.
They are also supported by Articulação do Semiárido de Alagoas, a network that brings together several local organizations. Alagoas currently has 131 seed banks in 221 municipalities, with the participation of 3,350 farming families, and manages 32 varieties of local seeds, mainly beans, broad beans, cowpeas and maize. Species native to the caatinga biome are also being widely used and farmers are conserving them on their farms.
Source: https://www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/user_upload/BANCOS_COMUNITARIOS_DE_SEMILLAS_Vernooy.pdf
- Regulating
- Kick-starting
- Creating networks
- Local institution
- Peasant movement, Peasant organisation